Tools that support functional feeding skills bridge the gap between what someone can do and what they need to do. They help fulfil one of the most basic and essential activities of daily living. When someone struggles to feed themselves, due to disability, injury, or age, it can significantly reduce their quality of life.

Benefits of Adaptive Eating Aids

• Improved nutritional intake:
  Adaptive utensils support self-feeding, which encourages regular food and fluid intake. This helps improve nutritional levels and supports immune health.
• Better energy and cognitive function:
  Easier access to food and drinks helps maintain consistent energy levels and supports cognitive function, both of which can be affected by poor intake.
• Safer swallowing and chewing:
  Easy-grip utensils, slow-flow cups, and angled cutlery provide better control over portions, pace, and positioning, helping make mealtimes safer and more manageable.
• Improved social participation:
  Adaptive eating aids allow people to participate in group meals and enjoy the social aspect of eating with greater confidence and independence.

Types of Assistive Devices for Mealtimes

Adapted plates and bowls make it easier and more efficient to pick up food, especially for individuals with limited hand or arm mobility.

Scooper plates feature a raised edge or contoured rim that acts as a barrier, helping guide food onto utensils and preventing it from sliding off the plate.
Scooper bowls have a similar design, with a partial high-sided lip around the rim to assist with scooping and reduce spills.
Additionally, plate guards and bumpers can be clipped onto standard plates. These provide a similar function by creating a raised edge, making it easier to push food onto a fork or spoon without it slipping over the side.

Non-Skid Dinning Mats help prevent plates and bowls from sliding around during mealtimes, especially when extra force is used with eating utensils to cut or scoop food.

Products like non-slip mats are made with anti-slip material that grips both the table surface and the bottom of the dish, offering excellent stability without the need for adhesives.
They’re a simple but effective solution for those with limited coordination or strength, making eating more controlled.

Modified dining aids with added weight help keep hands steadier while eating.

Weighted forks, knives, and spoons are useful for people with hand tremors, as the extra weight can reduce shaking and make it easier to use utensils. 

Standard utensils can be difficult to hold for long periods, especially for individuals with limited grip strength or dexterity. Clips and straps are available to secure utensils like spoons, forks, and knives to the hand, making self-feeding more manageable.

 

These strap holders are designed to work without relying on finger strength, allowing the hand and the strap to do the work, so users can focus on eating comfortably and with more independence.

Angled cutlery is designed to support individuals with limited wrist or arm movement.

 

The angled head allows users to eat with minimal twisting or turning of the wrist, making mealtimes more comfortable and accessible.
Forks and spoons are available in both left- and right-handed versions to suit individual needs.
The angled knife features a curved blade that enables a gentle rocking motion for cutting food, reducing strain on the hand and wrist.

Specialty cutlery is available to support one-handed dining and those with sensitive mouths.

Combination utensils like sporks or the Nelson knife are designed to assist individuals with limited hand function, such as those recovering from a stroke or living with an amputation.
Sporks allow users to scoop and pierce food with a single tool, while the Nelson knife combines a cutting blade and a pronged fork in one utensil.
For those with bite reflex issues or a sensitive mouth, soft-coated spoons offer a gentler option. These spoons have a stainless-steel core dipped in food-safe PVC, making them safer and more comfortable to use.

Adaptive drinking aids are designed to make drinking safer and more comfortable for individuals with swallowing difficulties or limited mobility.

Dysphagia cups feature an angled design that allows users to drink without tilting their heads back. This helps promote a safer swallowing posture and reduces the risk of choking or aspiration. The cup's shape also provides nose clearance and directs liquid to the centre of the mouth for better control. A wide, stable base prevents spills, and the extended handle offers a better grip for those with limited hand strength.
Clear Caring Mugs are a helpful option for individuals with tremors or reduced upper body mobility. They come with two large, contoured handles that support a secure, balanced grip, even when coordination is limited. The removable spouted lid helps control the flow of liquid, while the clear body makes it easy to see how much is being consumed.

Everyone's needs are different, and finding the right adaptive cutlery or dining aid can make a difference. If you're unsure which product is best for you or someone you care for, our friendly team is here to help 1300 350 350.

We can guide you through the options based on individual needs like grip strength, mobility, or medical conditions.

Explore Our Range of Adaptive Cutlery and Dining Aids